Generally, if your water is coming from a public supply, you will get water statements each year which set out the amount and cost of the water you use. Compare this with the average daily use on www.smartfarming.ie. Higher than average water use might mean that you have a water leak and are wasting water and money.

Spend 70c on a replacement washer for a tap — it could save you €36 on your water bill in one year.

Most water losses are due to simple problems with small appliances. Repairing a leaking ball-valve on a trough will save up to 150m3 (33,000 gallons) a year. At a cost of €5 per 1,000 gallons this will reduce your water bill by almost €170.

Finding leaks in buried pipes can be problematic. Where there are several pipes fed through one meter, consider installing an isolation valve at the head of each line, so that a pipe with a leak can be quickly identified.

Consider taking photographs as pipes are being laid and include the layout of water pipes on your farm maps. It will be a help in leak detection.

Sometimes, the replacement of pipework is necessary. For example, replacing a leaking pipe on a Cork farm cost €450. The old pipe was losing 2,700m3 per year, at a cost of €1,840.

Water meter – check for leaks

A water meter can be a useful demand management tool and can be the first indicator of a water leak.

To find out if you are losing water, turn off all water appliances and then check each meter. If the meter is still turning, you have leaks. If it’s not turning but your costs seem too high, this may be down to wastage through simple things like leaving a tap running.

A running tap can use up to 10 litres (2.2 gallons) of water per minute.

Carry out regular checks on the flow of water into particular fields or group of fields. Drain unused drinkers in winter. Turn off field connections at the meter box when animals are off the land.

Future-proof pipes

Leak prevention is more cost effective than paying for lost water or repairing leaks that have occurred.

Insulate exposed pipes and buy quality plumbing fittings. It will save money and grief.

Sub-standard fittings on a drinking trough are liable to blow, resulting in substantial water loss. By the same token, exposed pipes will inevitably freeze. This may result in a costly rupture in addition to the loss (albeit temporary) of your water supply.

When planning excavation works, be sure to consult the map of your pipework, so as to avoid severing a water line.

Recycle water

While the payback period on proprietary rainwater harvesting systems is long (especially if retrofitting), it makes environmental sense.

Rainwater harvesting from the roof of a farm building can be used for hosing the floor of a dairy parlour, cattle shed or farmyard and may also be suitable for animal consumption. It can also be used for cooling milk.

If water is used for washing, use a scraper or brush to remove solid wastes from yards and pens before hosing.

Rinse small equipment in a bucket of water rather than using a hosepipe.